Whether you’re bringing home a new puppy and introducing them to your current floof family, or you’re planning a doggy play date with friends, a proper introduction is very important. We’ve teamed up with our professional trainer, Angela, to break down some do’s and don’ts and offer a few tips to think about.

1. When it’s time for the dogs to meet, it should be in a neutral place – outside of the established dog’s home. If possible, take the older dog along when you pick up the puppy, and they can ride home (each in a separate crate) in the car together. Once home, take them out together for a walk around on leashes in the front yard, and walk inside together. An unknown puppy waltzing in the front door can feel like an invasion to even the friendliest, most mellow dog. If taking the older dog along isn’t an option, the dogs should still meet outside of the home and walk in together.

2. Prep your home by establishing a safe space for both your current dog and your new companion. Angela recommends the use of baby gates when doing inside and outside introductions to help each transition into sharing space. Observe each’s behavior, and continue to separate one another with baby gates until they’re used to seeing and sniffing each other if necessary.

3. Try feeding at the same time, but away from each other to allow them time to eat without the other watching or feeling intimidated. Developing good manners in a multi-pet home will go a long way to prevent resource guarding and general conflict. To help your pups create and maintain a healthy relationship, don’t let them share a bowl, and establish a specific spot in your home where their bowl gets placed at mealtime so neither feels like they need to protect their food and scarf it down.

   *Dogs who have unknown histories together, or who have a history of resource guarding or conflict over high-value resources like meals, should be prevented from physically accessing each other during mealtimes.

4. Wait to introduce toys or treats if they are in the same space. This helps detract from resource guarding as a behavior that might develop. In addition to having designated and consistent spaces where they each go to eat, don’t be afraid to create physical boundaries for playtime until they are familiar with one another.

5. Work on training at the same time with a baby gate barrier as a way to work on behaviors together but with a safe space for each to work and receive reinforcement.

Seek Support

Creating structured mealtimes and physical distance between your pets will usually prevent or alleviate challenges in multi-pet homes. If you’re experiencing ongoing conflict between pets in your home, it’s a good idea to seek support from a professional trainer. Find one well-versed in positive reinforcement techniques who will observe and evaluate the interactions between your pets and help you create personalized training plans.